Peach, District 9
Oh, why why WHY was I so stupid?! I mentally beat myself up. I'm married! I love Mario… Right? He loves me, I can't hurt him… Though, if he finds out about last night, he'll probably be fuming…
I glanced over at Mario, who was walking by my side, staring at his feet.
Why would he stare at his feet? My mind immediately went to the worst thought it could comprehend at the moment. Marth must have told him! He must have! I brought my eyes to Marth, who walked side by side with Ike ahead of Luigi, Mario, and I. Ever since last night, he avoided my gaze and my general presence. Not like I blamed him, what I had done was crossing the line.
I have to talk to him about it. I decided, knowing me and Marth had to settle the awkward feelings between us. These Games were a matter of life and death, and anything uncomfortable between us had to be stopped. I'll approach him tonight. Yes. Hopefully, he'll understa-
A sudden scream ripped through my thoughts, and a cannon went off.
All of us froze in our tracks, and Ike turned to face Marth.
"That was way too close to have come from another island…" He tried whispering so only Marth heard, but I was able to pick up on what he said.
"Then we're not alone." I crossed my arms, pulling them close to me in a defensive stance, afraid of which other tributes were on this jungle island.
Both Ike and Marth turned to face me, but before Ike could answer me, another, louder shriek tore through the air. A shriek that didn't sound even remotely human. And it came from the direction we had been walking towards.
"Move!" Ike ordered, and I wasn't about to refuse.
All five of us turned and ran from whatever was on the island.
Another screech, even louder this time, came from behind us.
It was hunting us.
And catching up quickly.
Zelda, District 7
Toon Link sat, his back leaning against the thick trunk of the tree we sat under. The sun had beat down on us so harshly, we needed to stop for a bit and catch our breath. In the distance, we heard shrieking sounds followed by a cannon, and I couldn't stop myself from imagining the worst case scenario, one of my allies dying a painful death…
"Zelda?" I looked to the blonde haired child, whose mouth was turned downwards into a frown. "Who... Who do you think died? You don't think it was Link, do you? Or Pit? Or Ness-"
"Shhhh." I quietly hushed Toon Link and scooched to his side, wrapping one arm around his small shoulders. "Don't think like that."
"But I can't help it!" His breaths became ragged, and fat tears slowly streaked down his cheeks. "Popo is already dead, and Pit is coughing up blood-"
"How did you know?" I started beating myself up inside. We must have been too loud in the cave and Toon Link could hear from outside, the last thing either of us had wanted to happen. We didn't want them to have more to worry about. I didn't even tell Link yet, I couldn't bring myself to for some reason. But Toon Link was with Link, surely if Toon Link could hear my brother could as well?
"I heard you two talking in the cave." The child was barely whispering. "I- I'm not sure if Link heard. But it scares me, Zelda. Why would he be coughing up blood?"
"We think it might be because of the wolf." I told him the truth, which surprised me. I was sure the truth of the matter would only scare him more, but better to tell him now then to wait until later.
"...Oh." That was all he said, plunging us both back into the silence.
Looking to the sky, I decided we'd been sitting too long, we needed to keep moving. I stood and lightly stretched, and Toon Link quickly followed suit.
"Ready?" I questioned, but all I got in response was a nod of his head. Together, we both walked among the tall trees of the forest, the silence so thick I was sure that I could cut through it with a sword if I had one. Occasionally I glanced down at my companion, who stared straight ahead, trying to hide his fear.
A rustle of leaves startled me for a moment, but I quickly wrote it off as the wind.
More rustling. I glanced around, unsure if I'd see anything, but I didn't, which only served to feed my growing fears even more. Picking up the pace, more distant, inhuman screams and another two cannons going off startled me. I was distracted long enough to not notice the arrow sailing at us from somewhere in the trees before it was too late.
Link, District 7
"Yes, because the children believe THAT excuse."
I quickly whipped around at the new voice, Ness and Lucas quickly turning as well. I was frozen for a moment, unsure how I was seeing who I was seeing. Maybe I was hallucinating. Maybe I was already dead. Nothing could logically explain what I saw.
"Link? Are you ok?" Dimentio tilted his 2D head, as if it was completely normal that he was there, floating in the caves when he wasn't a tribute but a mentor. My sister's mentor.
"Link?" Lucas whimpered. "I don't remember him being a tribute."
"That's because I'm not." Dimentio briefly glanced at the child, then turned back to me. "I'm here because of your sponsors, Link. You have a few very rich ones, thanks to your impressive score of eleven, and they paid enough money to have me send a projection to you."
"Huh?" I was lost. What did he mean, they 'paid enough for him to send a projection'?
Dimentio sighed, then continued. "You know how your sponsors can send you food or medicine throughout the Games?" I nodded, everyone knew that. "Well, there's something else they can send, if they pay a lot of money. They can have a projection of the tribute's mentor sent to them so that the tribute, you, can ask one question of their mentor."
"But, you're not my mentor." I pointed out. "You're Zelda's mentor. Shouldn't I be receiving a projection of Ghirahim?" Even though I never wanted to see the man again, I was curious why it wasn't him.
"He was, to be blunt, too drunk to give you any intelligible answers." Ahhh, I thought, nodding my head in understanding. That creep is drunk again. Just great.
"Anyways," Dimentio waved his flat hand around, "you can ask one question of me. It can be about anything, the island you're currently on, what's going on back in your district. The only thing you cannot ask about is anything about the other tributes." My sister's mentor tilted his head. "So? What shall you ask of me?"
I thought for a moment. I can't ask about Zelda, Pit, Toon Link, or Popo… "How do we get out of these caves?"
Dimentio smiled briefly. "Go North, West, South, West."
And with that, he flickered out of existence, leaving me to wonder what the HECK he meant.
Peach, District 9
What is it? What is it? I couldn't stop asking myself the same question in my head over and over. "What is it?"
"I don't know…" Mario panted, and I realized I must have spoken aloud. Another ear splitting screech echoed behind us, and if I could have run any faster, I would have. Looking behind me, I noticed that Marth and Ike had stopped running. What the?! I thought, wondering why the heck they'd stop running at a time like this, then I noticed they had drawn their swords, the only two swords we'd managed to score at the cornucopia. I had only been able to grab a slingshot, and I knew that would probably be completely useless against whatever was hunting us.
As we ran back to join them, Ike held a finger to his lips. Everyone immediately froze, listening for the creature. Silence closed in around us, which made me even more nervous. Where had it gone?
An awful, blood chilling shriek burst from behind me, and I turned to find myself face to face with a huge, lizard type creature. Wielding a sword taller than I was with one, sharp clawed hand, its mouth was filled with row upon row of razor sharp teeth and a long, reptilian tongue. But all I could stare at was the eyes. Those yellow eyes with the black pupils that stared into mine, freezing me where I stood. Even as he raised his sword, I could only stare, frozen where I was.
As he brought his sword down on my head, I remembered my dream back in my district, the dream where I couldn't save the child.
But this time, instead of the sword taking my life, the sword took another's life. I was pushed out of the way. Why did he do that? He couldn't have. I wasn't worth it, he should have lived, I was the one who should have fallen to the creature's blade.
"M- Mario?" His name escaped my lips as I watched him fall to the ground, the sword having done it's job. Shrieking, the creature turned from my husband as the cannon burst my eardrums. No, was my only thought. He wasn't dead. I knew he wasn't. So why was the cannon going off? The capitol must have made a mistake, or another tribute died. Mario wasn't dead! He was alive and well, I just had to wait for him to stand up, to say "I'm okay, don't cry" in that ridiculous Italian accent he shared with his brother. Yes, yes. All he had to do was stand up.
"Come on, Mario!" I said in a voice that sounded choked, though I didn't know why it would. "Let's get up! Today's not the day to show the world how lazy you are!" Marth grabbed my hand, bringing my attention away from my husband briefly. "Look how lazy he is!" My throat felt like something was lodged in it. Maybe I had a cold. "He's always been this lazy!" A fat, hot tear streaked down my cheek, and I lightly touched it with my fingers.
"Peach." Marth looked me directly in the eyes. "Now's not the time. You have to snap out of it." I watched his eyes slightly glistening, and I began wondering why he'd cry. Mario wasn't dead! I just told him that!
"Marth," I tilted my head, "why are you crying? Mario is oka-" But before I could finish, the blue haired boy looked away from me quickly, then left to go fight another of the lizard creatures. Apparently, the first one brought friends along.
That was rude! Marth really needs to learn some manners! I thought to myself, then I knelt by my sleeping husband. "Mario? Time to get up!" Another scream, accompanied by a lizard's squeal and a cannon. Turning, I noticed Ike was on the ground, red liquid seeping from a huge gash on his forehead. "Oh, lookit, Mario! Ike wanted to nap too!"
Link, District 7
"Go North, West, South, West?" I groaned, peering around the dark cave. "Doesn't he know we can't tell one direction from another in here?!"
"There has to be something about it, a hint, a clue, something to get us out of here." Ness said, being more cheerful than I could have been in that moment.
"Maybe North just means we go straight, West to the left, South backwards, and West left again?" Lucas speculated, his logic not really making any sense. Why would we go backwards?
"I really have no idea," I sighed, "but I guess any ideas are better than none." I peered around the area until I spotted a small tunnel ahead of us. "Might as well try it," I muttered under my breath before slowly walking into the cramped tunnel, unsure if this would do anything at all or just get us even more lost.
On and on the tunnel seemed to stretch, the end nowhere in sight. I was considering turning around again when a strange smell caught my attention.
"What's that smell?" Lucas asked, looking to Ness.
"I dunno." The black haired boy shrugged, keeping his attention on the tunnel ahead.
Something was off, I could tell. This smell was strange, out of place. Why couldn't I place it though? It was nagging at the back of my mind, lingering on the tip of my tongue. The smell was bothering me so much I didn't notice the light before he did.
"Hey, guys!" Ness said eagerly. "Look! The tunnel is getting brighter! Maybe we're almost out!"
I brought my attention from the smell to the light. Yes, it was getting brighter, but I didn't think it was the light you'd get from the outdoors. No, this was a bit too red…
Crap! I thought worriedly, finally placing both the smell and light. Smoke. And where there's smoke, there's fire.
Zelda, District 7
There's not a loud thumping noise. No, it's more of a dull sound, barely discernable to the ear. I don't know if I'd even have heard it if I didn't watch it hit it's mark.
The pain, well, that I can't attest to. You'd have to ask Toon Link what that's like.
The arrow from the trees sailed silently through the air, and I didn't even notice it until it was lodged in my small ally's chest. Only a second I stayed in my shock, I spun around after that to look for the arrow's origin. The culprit was behind a few trees, but I could tell who they were. Their name, however, escaped me. A tall, womanly figure. Blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail.
The bow with an arrow already notched and aimed at me. The string was so taut, I didn't know how it hadn't snapped yet. I made no move, not entirely out of my shock. A cannon going off barely registered in my mind, and when the woman looked around frantically at the sound, I knew she still had allies. Lowering her bow, she looked at me one last time, mouthing five words before she spun on her heels and left me. "Until the next time, Princess."
I stood still a moment longer, staring at where she had been standing not a second before, when a quiet groan from behind snapped me out of the shock. I turned to find Toon Link leaning against a tree, left hand holding the area around his wound.
"Ze- Zelda?" He whispered, looking down at the wound with eyes that almost looked glassed over.
I barely even remember moving to his side, or how he slid down the trunk until he sat at the base. I barely remember how I knelt by his side, gently caressing his forehead. I do remember, however, his pain, and the tears stinging my eyes relentlessly.
"Are you okay?" His innocent eyes seemed to bore into mine as he asked me the question I should have been asking him.
"Yeah." Fat, hot tears slowly began rolling down my cheeks.
"Who- who shot the arrow?" He asked quietly, looking at me.
"Why?" My throat felt hoarse, rough. "It doesn't matter who."
"I want to for- forgive them." His blonde hair seemed paler, his eyes duller. "They p- probably didn't want to shoot me."
"The woman." I choked on my words, my mouth tasting like salt from the tears rolling in. "The lady with the blonde hair."
"Oh, Samus." He almost smiled, though I had no idea why. "Well, then, I forgive you, Samus." And he fell silent.
My tears poured like a river.
"Zelda?" He looked at me, and a small gasp of relief escaped me. He was still alive.
"Yeah, Toon?" I could barely choke the words out.
"Can- can you hum something?" He looked up at the leaves overhead. "My Grandma would always hum at night, when I couldn't sleep." Toon Link smiled. "She's the best."
And with that, I began his melody. It was a simple, three note tune. A tune that quietly echoed around us.
"That's so pretty," he looked to me, lightly crying and smiling at the same time. "Just like you are. I could fall asleep to that. Does it have a name?" I shook my head, not trusting myself to speak. "Well, every good tune needs a name. I think we'll call it Zelda's Lullaby. Perfect." He fell silent once again, and for some reason, I knew. I didn't even need the reassurance of the cannon going off.
He was gone.
The tears were hot and fat, and they didn't end for what seemed like months to my sorrowed mind. The pain was hot and hard, and I realized in this moment, I wasn't just mourning for Toon Link. I was mourning for Popo, all the people who were already dead, all the ones who were to die. And there was another emotion, slowly building until it overpowered my sorrow.
Anger.
Samus killed a child. How could a grown woman bring herself to do that? How could Toon Link forgive her so quickly and easily? Maybe he knew something I didn't. The innocence of a child. But, deep in my heart, I knew Samus couldn't take all the blame.
The Capitol had done this.
They killed Toon Link, Popo.
They were going to keep killing, death after death, the blood on their hands thick and hot.
The disgust I felt for them had no words to describe it.
Pit, District 11
"Ow ow ow ow ow ow." Pain shot through my body as I sat up slowly, looking at my surroundings. Still on the mountain island, I noticed it was already night time and I was right by the water's edge, far away from where the avalanche and fight had occurred. No matter how hard I tried, though, I couldn't remember how I had gotten here.
Trying to stand so I could search for my allies, I quickly gave up as the pain in my legs was so intense I wouldn't be able to make it a foot without falling.
"Just great," I sighed in annoyance, staring at the water glistening in the moonlight, when my attention was caught by the music that played before the Capitol showed that day's deaths. Now watching the skies, I saw the Capitol's symbol flash before the first death of the day was shown.
Yoshi, District 9
Lucario, District 8
Popo, District 12
I froze, watching the innocent face of Popo smiling in the sky, and immediately felt sick to my stomach. He- He died? But he was so young… It hurt to think about him, and I brought my attention back to the sky, no matter how awful I felt.
Captain Falcon, District 6
Fox, District 5
Mario, District 9
Ike, District 10
Mr. Game and Watch, District 13
Toon Link, District 7
My shoulders sagged, my hope that none of my other allies died was crushed. The Capitol's symbol flashed in the sky, music resuming, signalling that was all the deaths of the day.
Laying back down on the ground, I thought of all the people who died that day. And I cried myself to sleep.
AN - Hey! Almost been a month! Whooooops? Hopefully updates will go quicker, but I can't promise anything!
Yeeeeah, I know what you're thinking- "But Daisy Bokoblin, you never really covered the Marth stuff!" ...Well, Peach went insane, okay?!
New cover image for this! That's what happens when I get 10 minutes of free time on Paint XD
Reviews:
Zelda Charm - Yes, there is a LOT going on! Hopefully I can keep track of it all? XD
OrangeStreakedStar - I made you cry? WHOOPEE! XD jk, but I hope those tears are good ones? :)
RandomObserver42 - Glad you enjoyed that scene! I really enjoyed writing it, just because of the interaction between Pit and Palutena! :) Didn't really cover the Marth stuff... Whooooops?
RedPandaPokemon - Thanks for telling me about R.O.B.! Funny thing is, I just figured that out a few days before you posted that review XD also, hope chapter 10 has lived up to your expectations! :)
Gary the Goomba - Everyone in the fanfiction universe, meet my younger sister. She has chosen Gary the Goomba as her alias! So, Gary, thanks for the compliments! And yes, Popo is gone... :'( I can't keep writing forever! Need I remind you of how much time of mine you already take up by BEGGING me to play Brawl with you?! But I am glad you're enjoying this story! :)